Great Demon King

Polo was a late-stage highgod of destruction. He was a well-known, prestigious character in the Fringe and in the Godhunter Alliance. His reputation was comparable to Han Hao’s.

Given his great strength and status, it was only to be expected that Polo wouldn’t easily bow to another expert’s command, especially when he did not know if Han Hao had the strength to defeat him.

After exhausting his energy when escaping from Salas’ pursuit, Han Hao had been feasting on the energy of other experts. That which did not kill him only made him stronger. Han Hao’s overall strength had now advanced to a new realm and he was certain that he could kill Polo.

Han Hao was never one to waste words. He knew that in order to make Polo yield, he had to demonstrate that he could completely overwhelm him in power. No words could be more convincing than an actual battle.

When Han Hao thrust his bone spear, insurmountable energy made of intertwined aura of death and killing intent exploded from it. Polo was taken aback. He seemed wary and hesitant.

Polo could sense that Han Hao had completely transformed after two years. Both his demeanor and his gaze had become even more sharp and menacing. At that moment, he looked ready to destroy anything in his path.

Both the followers of Han Hao and Polo remained still while watching their leaders. They wouldn’t do a thing without their leader’s command.

After the intertwined aura of death and the killing intent, circular undulations were emitted from the tip of the bone spear. Each of the undulations formed its own Boundary of Death in a split second. Before Polo could even react, Han Hao had directed all the divine energy in his body into one point and was thrusting towards Polo with his bone spear.

With one thought of his mind, the seven bone spurs detached from his spine and shot towards Polo in graceful and captivating arcs.

“I believe in Master’s power. Salas’ Empyrean Peak has been wrecked and his experts have been massacred by Master. I reckon Salas can’t muster much force against us!” remarked Romon.

“Given the extent of Salas’ influence in the Fringe, we cannot avoid capture even if we evacuate from the Pandemonium. We might as well take a shot and stay. I believe that Master will rush back to the Pandemonium as soon as he recovers. We just have to hang in here until Master returns,” said Zovic.

“No one will leave the valley,” commanded Rose calmly who had been silent all along.

Everyone in the meeting room knew that among them, Rose was the person most trusted by Han Shuo. Therefore, the party stopped debating and accepted Rose’s decision.

***

Back at Ossora’s underground palace, Luolong went to his Sovereign and reported, “My Lord, I have just received news that Salas has learned about the presence of Pandemonium and its location. He is gathering his troops and marching towards the Valley!”

Ossora thought for a moment before he asked, “Any information that points to Bryan being in the Pandemonium?”

Luolong shook his head and replied, “None whatsoever. Ever since he mysteriously disappeared from the Empyrean Peak, there has not been even a word of news about him. The followers of Salas and the other Sovereigns have searched the entire Fringe and yet, they found not the tiniest trace of Bryan.”

“This Bryan – what a guy!” exclaimed Ossora who seemed rather impressed. Then, after thinking for a while, Ossora said, “Alright, I shall visit the Pandemonium and check out the situation. I’m going solo.”

Luolong was astounded as he did not expect that his mighty and all-important Sovereign should handle the matter Himself. After hesitating a bit, he asked, “But, my Lord, wouldn’t that be a waste of your time?”

Ossora shook his head smilingly and replied, “This Bryan guy is definitely worth my time. I will go check out the situation at the Pandemonium and see if his followers are worthy of my help.”

Luolong only became more puzzled and confused. However, he did not ask any more questions and respectfully dismissed himself.

***

On a mountain peak near the northwest of the Pandemonium, Salas’ followers were gathering and rapidly growing in number.

Those experts that perished or were injured on the Empyrean Peak were just a portion of Salas’ followers. The rest of them were scattered in every corner of the Fringe. Although Salas has suffered great losses, his army has not been completely wiped out. And indeed, he was able to muster a great number in little time.

Within a short few days, five or six hundred gods had gathered on the mountain. These ferocious experts who dwelled in every part of the Fringe had heard of the tragic attack on Empyrean Peak. As followers of Salas, they had been riding roughshod over other Fringedwellers in the name of their Sovereign. It was needless to say just how angry they were about the Empyrean Peak getting flattened.

During recent times, the scene of devastation at the Empyrean Peak was widely narrated among the Fringedwellers. These followers of Salas saw the schadenfreude in the gazes of other Fringedwellers. People who used to take detours to avoid them now seemed as though they were not afraid of them anymore. This made them deeply realize the impact Salas’ downfall would have on them.

Even if not for Salas, they must destroy the Pandemonium and Han Shuo for their own sake. They knew that that was the only way they could preserve the special privileges they enjoy in the Fringe.

The Fringedweller were very realistic. Although Salas was not defeated in battle, Empyrean Peak having been destroyed and Han Shuo remaining alive made everyone think that Salas wasn’t as mighty as they imagined. This has far-reaching consequences.

Half a month later, a thunderbolt streak across the sky. Salas finally appeared on the mountain.